Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Health Care Debate – Part 2

Supposedly the health care proposals are looking to accomplish “health insurance reform.” By that they mean eliminating some of the unfair practices of the private insurers. These include insurance companies refusing coverage for preexisting conditions and dropping people who are “too sick.” Also included is the “government option” for people not covered by their employer’s health insurance. However, care must be taken to prevent companies from dropping their coverage and going with the government option.Another issue is the cost of health care. For the past 20-30 years is has been growing at a rate that is higher than the rate of inflation. Health care is ridiculously expensive, and something must be done. Already Medicare and Medicaid are costing the government much more than the budget can afford, and that’s with doctors being reimbursed well below what they get from private patients. How in the world do Obama and Congress think they will save money? It’s a pipe dream. No savings will happen without tort reform, and that isn’t even being discussed. See my earlier post on tort reform.Concrete actions must be taken to reduce costs. I don’t know what they are, but if effective cost-reducing actions aren’t included in the bill that ultimately comes out of all this, it will be a disaster. Pray for all those involved in putting together this health care reform package, that they will be given wisdom to do what needs to be done. They will need the wisdom of Solomon and them some.